People walk on the street on a cold day in Tsim Sha Tsui on Dec 17, 2022. (EDMOND TANG / CHINA DAILY)

HONG KONG - Another shivering morning greeted Hong Kong Monday as the winter monsson bringing cold and dry weather to the city caused the temperature to dip below 10°C in urban areas with a few degrees lower in the New Territorries a day after the Hong Kong Observatory issued a frost warning. 

Ta Kwu Ling recorded the lowest at 3.6°C between midnight and 10:45 am Monday, while Pak Tam Chung and Tai Lung recorded 3.7°C and 4°C, respectively.

The Hong Kong Observatory said the winter monsoon will continue to bring cold weather to Guangdong on Tuesday and it will be fine and dry over the region

In the urban areas, it was 9.2°C at Happy Valley and 10°C at Wong Chuk Hang. 

It was, nevertheless, a few degrees warmer than Sunday across the special adminsitrative region. The winter monsoon was bringing cold and dry weather, with moderate north to northeasterly winds, occasionally fresh winds, the HKO said. 

ALSO READ: HKO issues frost warning as city braces for more cold weather

The cold weather warning and the red fire danger warning were both in force. The fire risk was extreme and the HKO advised residents to put on warm clothes and ensure adequate indoor ventilation.

The observatory said the monsoon will continue to bring cold weather to Guangdong on Tuesday and it will be fine and dry over the region.

“Daytime temperatures over the coast of southern China are expected to rise slightly in the middle and latter parts of this week,” the HKO said in a statement. 

But under the influence of replenishments of the monsoon, it will still be rather cool in the morning and at night, the observatory added.

The Centre for Health Protection of the Department of Health reminded the public, particularly the elderly and people with chronic illnesses, to adopt appropriate measures to protect their health in view of the cold weather.

READ MORE: Bracing for cold

The Labour Department also reminded employers and employees to take appropriate precautions such as issuing reminders to stay warm while working outdoors or in remote areas, and to ensure rotations  to limit exposure. 

The Home Affairs Department opened 18 temporary shelters Monday. The shelters will remain open during the day on Tuesday while the HKO's Cold Weather Warning is in force.